Hat-box.



Patented Dec. 2. [902.

J. A. PARK.

HAT BOX.

(Applicntion filed lar. 12, 1902.]

(No Model.)

migiiiifi i. E

. 4 .M. l. y E 6 /7 ..,J 5 IM/Y.

TNZ Mamas warms cov woro-umo" mwwomu. u, :4

UN 1TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. PARK, OF VVl-IITEHOUSE, NEWV JERSEY.

HAT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,184, dated December 2, 1902. Application filed March 12, 1.902. Serial No. 97,926. (No model.)

To all whom, it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES A. PARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Whitehouse, in the county of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto hat-trays, and has for one of its objects to provide meaus whereby a plurality of devices of like construction may be contained within a suitable case or trunk while utilizing a minimum amount of space.

Another object is to provide a tray of the character described which will be interchangeable with a plurality of like kind, whereby one may rest upon the other within the trunk.

Other objects, as well as the novel details of constructiomwill be clearly described hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isavertical longitudinal sectional view of a trunk, illustrating the trays in position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the trays. tive view of one end of one of the trays. Fig. 4: is a similar view of the opposite end of the same.

The reference-numeral 1 designates a case or trunk of preferred construction, which is shown as rectangular and provided with the usual corner-bufiers 2. A lid 3 is carried by the case 1 and is hinged thereto, so that acoess may be readily had to the interior of the case or trunk. Within the trunk are a plurality of hat-supporting trays removably secured and interchangeable. Each tray comprises a strip 4: of wood, metal, or other suit able material, on one end of which is a transverse sleeve or tube 5, through which pro-.

Fig. 3is a fragmentary perspecsockets and form a rigid sectional rack. On the opposite end of the strip is arranged a single standard 10, which is formed in ablock .11, carried by said strip, and any tendency to a lateral play or displacement of this end of the tray will be obviated by means of a looped strip 12, which is secured to the interior wall of the end of the trunk, at approximately the longitudinal center thereof. The standard 10 fits into this strip and into the socket of the standard of the trayiminediately beneath the same, and as a separate strap is provided for each tray it will be impossible for the same to become displaced. On the bottom of the tenons 9 of each standard is a resilient buffer or pad 13, of rubber or other suitable material, which will render the tray noiseless when placed upon a counter or other support and prevent the same from becoming scratched or marred.

The hat supports are arranged on either side of the strip 4, and each comprises two sections 14; and 15, approximately semicircular and having inwardly-bent extensions formed at their free ends, whereby they may be secured to the strip or plate. The extensions 16 and 17 on the member 14 are bent down at an angle to the plane of the semicircular portion and terminate in eyes 18, through which a suitable screw or tack may be inserted to secure the same to the strip. The extensions 19 and 20 of the member 15 are bent back upon the member and then downwardly and also terminate in eyes,whereby asuitable fastening means may beinserted to secure them to the strip. Sleeves at 21 and 22 are formed to engage the extensions of the members and firmly fasten them together, so that a seat or rest is formed by the members 14 and 15 for the reception of the crown of the hat, the rim being permitted to rest on said seat. In order to minimize space within the case or trunk 1, the rests on each side of the strip are arranged in alternation, each alternating seat being on a lowerplane than the remaining ones.

By reference to Fig. lit will be seen that this arrangement will permit the rims to overlie, permitting the hats to be arranged closer together, and thereby eitecting a saving of space.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the succeeding trays may be removed from the trunk and placed upon the counter or other support for display and that they may be replaced within the trunk without the necessity of paying attention to the previous arrangement, inasmuch as the parts are interchangeable with relation to each other.

WVhile I have specifically described what to me appears to be the best means of accomplishing the desired result, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown, but reserve the right to make such slight changes and alterations as suggest themselves from time to time Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a trunk or case, of a plurality of interchangeable members carried thereby, each member beinginterchangeable with the others, and alternating hat-supports carried by the trays, each alternating support being arranged on a different plane than the plane of the remaining ones.

2. The combination with a trunk or case, of a plurality of interchangeable members carried thereby, each member being interchangeable with the others, alternating hatsupports carried by the members,each alternating support being arranged on a different plane than the plane of the remaining ones, and means for locking the members together.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a strip, of a plurality of supports,comprising semicircular sections, each section having the ends thereof downwardly bent, sleeves embracing said bent portions to secure said'sections together, said extensions being bent at an angle to the plane of the semicircular sections and terminating in eyes and means for securing the supports in the applied position on the strip.

4. A hat-tray comprising a strip provided with alternating hat-supports, each alternating support being arranged on a lower plane than the one preceding it, and standards to which the strip is secured, each standard hav ing a tenon at one end and asocket at the other.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. PARK; Witnesses:

GEO. L. BELL,

VICTOR O. Bonmn 

